UPDATE Posted Wednesday, March 17, 2010 -- 4:41pm
By Zac Schultz

Madison: Located just across the street from the Capitol, Brocach's Irish Pub has a great location. Unfortunately, that location comes with no parking. "Whatever's available to the general public is what we have," says owner Cliff McDonald. That's why he is happy to hear of a proposal that would create free public parking just across the street. "Something right on the square would be wonderful."

A bill at the Capitol would take more than 100 spots assigned to lawmakers and open them up to the public after 6pm on weeknights and all day on weekends. These spots are mostly full right now, because it's during the day and the legislature is in session. But on nights and weekends they sit empty.

"It's apparent to me that one of the reasons more people don't come downtown is they feel it's difficult to find parking," says Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend).

"You see spots sitting empty across from restaurants where perhaps they shouldn't be," says Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Waunakee).

"We were fighting for this for years and years," says local radio talk show host Mitch Henck. The lawmakers wrote the bill after years of his urging. He says too many people don't like the ramps, or won't pay for parking. "I think it's going to bring all kinds of people downtown who otherwise wouldn't think about it because they can't park."

Back at Brocach's, Cliff says he hears it every day. "We get phone calls all the time-daily, with people coming in from the outskirts of the city or the suburbs who are asking us about parking. It's apparent they are very concerned, and usually the belief is that it's a real challenge to find parking spots that are close to downtown."

Currently, Capitol Police will not ticket your car for parking on the inside of the square after six and on weekends, but most people don't know that and lawmakers say this bill will make it official.

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Posted Wednesday, March 17, 2010 --- 7:45 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- More parking would be available to the public around the Wisconsin state Capitol on weekends and after hours under a proposal before the Legislature.

The bill to be considered by a state Senate committee on Wednesday would make 151 reserved spots available to the public after 6 p.m. on weekdays and weekends. There are currently just 51 spots for the public around the Capitol.

The reserved spots are set aside for lawmakers, state officials and employees.

Supporters say freeing up parking would make it easier for the public to access businesses and other attractions in downtown Madison. Under the proposal, police could still block off spots for special events, like the popular farmers' market.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.